Police were reckless in Clintonville shootout

Saturday

May 18, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 18, 2013 at 11:03 AM

I have concerns about the safety of my Clintonville neighborhood, especially from the reckless actions of the Columbus Police Division that claims to protect it ("Shootout kills 2, rocks Clintonville," Dispatch article, Thursday).

I have concerns about the safety of my Clintonville neighborhood, especially from the reckless actions of the Columbus Police Division that claims to protect it (“Shootout kills 2, rocks Clintonville,” Dispatch article, Thursday). The most recent incident involves a shootout between Columbus police officers and “suspects” that occurred in the early-morning hours of Wednesday.

In the course of this action, homes were hit by gunfire. The suspects were killed, so they cannot shed any light on the situation. I wonder how the division justifies choosing to endanger the lives of people they have been sworn to protect.

Please consider the following questions about this incident:

• At what point does police business with these suspects take priority over the safety of innocent bystanders?

• Were those criteria met? Can the police show just cause for damaging the property of, and endangering the lives of, innocent citizens?

• Was there a public-safety issue that justified these actions?

• During this incident, was the safety of innocent bystanders at greater risk from the actions of the police or from the actions of the suspects?

• What if I had to defend myself during this action? I have a clear legal right to defend myself if someone is driving by and firing a gun into my home, but what if that shooter is a police officer? I already know the answer. As is the case with the current “suspects,” there would be only one side of the story to be heard in the aftermath.

• Is the division willing to respond to the public in this matter? Or will it continue to claim that its judgment and agenda with the suspect are superior to public safety?

Readers should put themselves in the position of having to defend themselves during such a police action. Then decide if we do enough to hold the police accountable for their actions.

Police killings have exceeded murders in this ZIP code for decades. Is the Columbus Police Division sure it can justify the actions it took on Wednesday?